Cornerstone Church, located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Interstate 35 in Ames, Iowa, was established in 1994 as an evangelical Christian church and has since grown to a congregation size of more than 2,000 active members. The church’s stated mission is “to become a God-centered community of obedient believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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Cornerstone Church was established in 1994 from its roots as a ministry for Iowa State University college students that was connected with Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ames. Since this college ministry, The Salt Company, was becoming larger than the church's congregation, Grand Avenue Baptist Church gave approval for the leaders of The Salt Company to plant a new church that was named Cornerstone Church. This name was based on a verse in the Bible that states, “…with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” [1]
The first service was held on August 28, 1994 in the evening at Grand Avenue Baptist, and within six months the service had to move to a larger auditorium located in the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center to accommodate for the increase in numbers. A year later, Cornerstone again grew out of their space and moved to the largest available auditorium space located at the Ames Middle School. The congregation size continued to grow as The Salt Company also grew, and when the funds and land was available, the members came together to support the construction of a new building that they could call home.
In September 1999, the first service was held in the new building that Cornerstone Church of Ames continues to reside in. Cornerstone Church now averages over 2,000 people at their three weekend services held in the 1,500-seat auditorium, making it the largest church in Ames. Cornerstone is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and is a member of the Willow Creek Association. They base all of their teachings on the Bible. As of fall 2007, Cornerstone announced an expansion project, which has included a 1,500-seat auditorium (as opposed to the original 637-seat auditorium) to furnish the tremendous growth that this church continues to experience.
Cornerstone Church of Ames has many activities or ministries provided to an assortment of age groups as well as people groups. These groups allow for people to have fellowship in small group settings or "connection groups", and they also equip people with Biblical principles in large group settings primarily through worship and teaching.